The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/10/08 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: Courtesy Drive-By Truckers The Drive-By Truckers open a three-night stand at the 40 Watt Club with a benefit for Athens' non-profit resource center, Nuci's Space. The band is pictured here with producer David Barbe during the recording of its latest album. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Sara Guevara Drive-By Truckers will be performing at the 40 Watt Thursday night in order to help raise money for Nuci's Space. [Click to enlarge]

Even though the Drive-By Truckers have made it big, they haven't forgotten where they came from. The band is returning to the 40 Watt Club, where frontman Patterson Hood was once an employee.

"He's kind of never forgotten us," said Velena Vego of the 40 Watt. "This is definitely an underplay for the Truckers. I'm sure they could just come back and play the Classic Center now."

Tonight, the Drive-By Truckers will play the first of three Classic City shows before starting its 2008 tour in support of its new album, "Brighter Than Creation's Dark."

To be released Jan. 22, the album has a lot of substance, playing nearly 75 minutes with 19 tracks.

"We didn't intend for it to be so long, it just kind of all stuck together. It seemed like one piece of work," said Hood, who splits the majority of song writing duties with guitarist Mike Cooley. "This record was fun, and every song was kind of a different and unique thing, yet it all sticks together pretty well."

Hood explained the Truckers try to raise money and awareness for Nuci's Space on a yearly basis.

"It's the least we can do I think," said Hood of the philanthropy. "Of all the things that make Athens special and stand out, Nuci's Space is definitely one of the biggest ones."

Josh Jordan, the co-owner and manager of the 40 Watt, said he has always had a great deal of respect for the band and the time and money they put into Nuci's Space.

"Not only are they great musicians, but they're good people," said Jordan.

Many of the songs will be played live for the first time tonight, and will be a chance to showcase the ever-growing nature of the band. Jordan said he feels the band is continuing to mature, even though it has been such a mainstay in Athens.

"The younger crowd loves them for their rebel-rousing, and now there's another a whole new aspect and another level to [the band]," he said of the band's sound on the new album.

Bass player Shonna Tucker also contributed to the band's growth by making her debut as a contributing songwriter, penning three of the songs for the album and providing lead vocals for all three.

"She showed up with these songs ready, and we were all very pleasantly surprised," said Hood of Tucker's new role in the creative process. "Especially because they're really good songs."

One of the founding members and long-time guest on the band's live and studio line ups, John Neff is coming on board as an official member for the album and upcoming tour, playing pedal steel and guitar.

"Brighter Than Creation's Dark" was recorded under the direction of longtime Athens-based producer David Barbe at the locally operated Chase Park Transduction Studios.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools